Die operating mechanism for casting machines



1942. A. F. SCHOEPFLIN ET AL 2,306,323

DIE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CASTING MACHINES Filed NOV. 14, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1942. A. F. SCHOEPFLIN ETAL 2,306,323

DIE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CASTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1940 m. m WW U w MxW W J F." mm m. a w@ & dd) Mm na: N .m\ U s.

Dec. 22, 1942.

A. F. SCHOEPFLIN ET AL DIE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CASTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 14, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 jawbkeF'Sc/mep/firi 67am ca fif'uza/r Patented Dec. 22, 1942 DIE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR cas'mve moms Adolphe F. Schoepflin and Clarence 8. Funk, Worcester, Mass., assignors to Reed-Prentice Corporation, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Application November 1 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for' casting molten metal, molding heat plasticizable material, under pressure, and has for its object such a machine.

The mechanism of the present invention is particularly characterized by the provision of a rigid frame of such open form as to provide ample space for the reception of large dies, or dies hav ing long pull cores in any direction. Furthermore, the frame is adapted to support, as a unit, the entire operating mechanism for the movable die plate, so that the distance between die plates can be readily and accurately adjusted within a considerable range, to accommodate different sizes of dies. Furthermore, the entire linkage arrangement for operating the movable die plate is continuously lubricated under pressure, thereby contributing to the ease of operation of the machine and greatly reducing maintenance due to the wear of moving parts.

The above and other advantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l. is a view in side elevation of a casting machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view along the line 3-8 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. I 4

Fig. dis a half sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the operating assembly for the movable die plate.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the parts of Fig. 5, illustrating the lubrication of the operating linkage.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view along the.

line l-l of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, the machine provides a frame I mounted on a base B, and comprising an end member 2 and spaced side membars 3 connected by tie bars 4 extending from the corners of the end member 2,-as best shown in Fig. 3. A fixed die plate ii is integral with the end member 2, and a gate opening 6 therein is in communication with the delivery openings 1 of any suitable device for supp ying molten or plunger 8 operated from cylinder it.

4, 1 40, Serial No. 365,604 4 (or. 22-68) sleeve 8 from which the material is forced by a A second die plate II is slidably mounted for movement on the frame I by means of guides l2 cooperating withhorizontal ways l3 fixed to the upper and lower tie bars'l. The die plate II also provides a pair of heavy side guides l4 .slidable in gibs l5 provided by the side members 3 of the frame. The'die plate H is thus guided at the top and bottom, as well as the sides, for movement on the rigid members of the frame I, so that the slotted surface thereof, on which is mounted the movable die, is always maintained in substantially parallel relation with respect to the slotted surface of the die plate 5 on which is mounted the stationary die. Dies D are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and it is evident that the distance between the die plate II and the right-hand ends of side members 3 of the frame is such that a considerable range of die thicknesses may be employed.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the die plate II is adapted to be moved back and forth with respect to the fixed die plate 5, by means of cooperating sets of toggle links l6, l1 and I8, operated by means of a cross head IS. The links l6 and I l are pivotally connected to the die plate II and to the cross head l9, respectively, by pins 20 and 2|, and to each. other by pins 22, and provision is made for supporting and lubricating these pivot pins, as will later be described. The links iii are pivotally connected to the other links l6 and H by the pins 22, while their opposite ends are connected by pins 23 to lugs 24 provided by a member 25,'in the form of a yoke, which is adapted to support the entire operating assembly for the die plate I l. V

As shown in half section, the yoke member 2! provides a central opening 26, in which is received one end of a cylinder 21, having a piston 28 movable therein, when the' cylinder is supplied with a fluid pressure medium. The piston 28 carries a rod 29 extending through the inner endof the cylinder between the lugs 24 and connected at its end to the cross head IQ for operating the toggle linkage. As best shown in Fig. 4, the cross head l8 provides lateral extensions to slidably supportedbetween .gibs 3|, received in a slot 32 plasticized material under pressure, such as a greater than the maximum length of travel of carrying the operating the cross head l8, indicated by the full line positions of Fig.5.

As best shown in Fig. '7, the yoke member 24 mechanism for the die plate ll, provides wings 23, on which are formed guides 34 bearing on ways 35 extending above and below the-gibs II. Thus, the weight of the entire assembly for operating the die plate II is borne by the rigid side members I of the frame I, and the invention contemplates an improved dotted and arrangement, whereby the entire assembly carried by the member 25 can be adjusted with respect to the frame I to vary the distance between the relatively movable die plates and i I.

To this end, the left-hand end of the frame I provides fixed adjusting screws 34, extending freely through openings 31 provided in arms 28 the lugs 24, see Fig. 5. The threaded portion lid of each screw 24 carries a nut 29 that is rotatably connected to an arm "of the member 25, by means of a collar 42 engaging a groove 4| formed on the nut 39. The nut 39 provides a flange 42 extending beyond the collar 40, to which is secured a worm gear 43, by means of which the nut 39 may be turned to exert a shifting force of the arm 38 with respect to the fixed screw 34;

whereby the spacing between the die plates I and I I may be varied accurately within a considerable range to accommodate dies of different heights.

The utilization of two adjusting screws located above and below the center line of the frame I,- makes it possible to obtain the desired locking pressure for dies which may be of! center with relation to the die plates 5 and H, a condition which is sometimes unavoidable. While normally both nuts 39 are turned in unison when making an adjustment in the distance between the die plates, removal of the coupling 46 permits independent adjustment of either nut 39 so as to effectively compensate for any pronounced off center relation of the dies with respect to the plates,

such as would require a-greater pressure abov or below the center line of the frame. a

As previously pointed out, provision is made shafts 45 may be turned together by means 7 extending from the member above and below 58 extending through the links it. The passages 54 conduct the oil to a passage 59 extending through each pin 20, from which radiate ducts ill supplying the bearings 54b.

Each link ll connecting links it and I8 to the cross head i8, provides a' passage 6| communicating with a duct 51 in a pin 22, whereby the lubricant is conducted to a passage 62 extending axially oi the pin 2i. 'Ducts 62 radiating from the passage 42, lubricate the bearings 64 of each Thus theentire linkage system for operating the die plate Ii, is thoroughly lubricat ed at all times under pressure, thereby substantially eliminating frictional losses in the die closing operation, and greatly increasing the life of the machine, aswell as reducing maintenance thereof.

It is evident from a consideration 'of Figs. 4 and 6, that the several sets of pivot pin bearings I4, 44a and i4b,-are spaced evenly across the widthloi the die plate H, both above and below the cross head IS. The bearings are thus adapted to relieve the pivot pins 20, 22 and 23 of the load when the dies are closed, and their symmetrical arrangement with respect to the center line of the frame. insures the maintenance of a parallel relation between opposed surfaces of the die plates land 11, respectively.

. '.We claim:

i. A pressure casting machine comprising in combination, a frame providing spaced parallel top and bottom members rigidly connected by side members, a die plate guided at its corners between said top and bottom frame members, guide barscarried by said die plate extending rearwardiy from oppositev sides of said die plate and slidably supported in ways provided by said side frame members, a yoke member supported between said side frame members and providing portions extending above and below said guide bars, a cross head slidably supported by said guide bars, and operating linkage connecting said cross head to said die plate and said yoke member.

2. A pressure casting machine comprising in combination, a frame providing spaced parallel top and bottom membersrigidly connected by side members, a die plate guided at its corners between said' top and bottom frame members, guide bars carried by said die plate extending rearwardiy from opposite 'sides of said die plate and slidably supported in ways provided by said side frame members, a yoke member supported between said side frame members and providing portions extending above. and below said guide bars, a cross-head slidably supported by said for'lubricating the several pivot pins 20 to '28,

inclusive, of the linkage mechanism which-moves the die plate H. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

oil under pressure is supplied by a pipe P 'toa duct 49 extending through a lug 24, which duct is in communication with a passage 59 extending axially through a pin 22, and closed at its ends by plugs 5!. Radial ducts 52 leading from the passage 50 are. in communication with grooves 52 provided in bearings 54 located between the lugs 24 and the links i8.

Each link It provides a passage 55 in communication with, a duct 52, so that the oil is conducted by these passages 55 to the ends of a passage 56 extending through each pin 22. Radial .ducts 51 leading from the passage 56 distribute the lubricant to bearings 54a, and to passages guide bars, operating linkage connecting said a cross head to said die plate and said yoke member, and means cooperating with said Yoke member for adjusting, with respect to said frame, the entire assembly consisting of said die plate, guide bar's, cross head and linkage connections.

8. A pressure casting machine, comprising in combination a rigid frame providing an end member for supr' rting a stationary die plate, a

second die plate, parallel spaced side members provided by said frame and carrying'ways for slidably'supporting in the space between them said second die plate, by means of guide bars extending'rearwardly from opposite sides of said plate, a yoke member supported by said frame side members at the end of the frame opposite to said stationary die plate, and extendirm between said side members in the direction of said second die plate, a cross head slidably supported between the guide bars of said second die plate, a cylinder provided by said yoke member for operating said cross head, connections between said cross head, said second die plate and said yoke member, and means for adjusting said yoke member with respect to said frame to move, as a unit, said yoke member, together with its connections to said second die plate, whereby to regulate the distance between said die plates.

4. A pressure casting machine, comprising in combination a rigid frame providing an end member for supporting a stationary die plate, a second die plate, parallel spaced side members provided by said frame and carrying ways for slidably supporting in the space between them said second die plate, by means of guide bars extending rearwardly from opposite sides of said plate, a yoke member supported by said frame side members at the end of the frame opposite to said stationary die plate,'and extending be tween said side members in the direction of said second die plate, a cross head slidably supported between the guide bars of said second die plate, a cylinder provided by said yoke member for operating said cross head, connections between said cross head, said second die plate and said yoke member, means for adjusting said yoke member with respect to said frame, comprising threaded studs carried by said frame between its side members, nuts cooperating with said studs and rotatably mounted on said yoke, and

means for turning said nuts in unison to shift said yoke member, as a unit, including its connections to said second die plate, to vary the distance between said die plates.

5. A pressure casting machine, comprising in combination a frame comprising spaced parallel top and bottom members rigidly connected by side members, and providing an end member for a yoke member supported between said frame side members at the end of the frame opposite to said stationary die plate and having portions extending in the direction of said movable die plate, a cross head slidably supported on the guide bars of said movable die plate, a cylinder carried by said yoke member for operating said cross head, connections between said cross head, said movable die plate and said yoke member for causing relative movement between said die plates and the maintenance of pressure between engaged dies carried by said plates, and means for adjusting said yoke member with respect to said frame to move, as a unit, said yoke member,

together with its connections to said movable die plate, to regulate the distance between opposed faces of said die plates for the accommodation of'diflerent sizes of dies.

mm F. SCHOEPI'LIN. CLARENCE s. rum. 

